Method for travelling or sliding types of sport device, in additon to sport installation for carrying out said method

ABSTRACT

In order to support the traveling or sliding movement of a moving person ( 5 ) equipped with traveling or sliding platform ( 6 ), a sport device comprising elastic connecting member ( 1 ), preferably in the form of an elastic cable, is used. One end of the sport device is connected to a holding object ( 4 ), while the other end is detachably connected to the moving person ( 5 ) or held by the same. The holding object ( 4 ) is connected to the ground in a fixed manner, enabling the moving person to use the tension or extension force of the connecting member ( 1 ) by means of relative travel movements or corresponding arm movements, in order to generate acceleration forces exerted on the traveling or sliding platform ( 6 ).

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is filed under 35 U.S.C. §371 as a U.S. national stage application of international application PCT/CH01/00518 filed Aug. 23, 2001.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates to a method for performing types of riding and sliding sports, in which a rider is removably connected by at least one part of the body to a riding or sliding platform, an apparatus for carrying out the method, and a layout for performing the method.

BACKGROUND

[0003] When performing known types of riding and sliding sports, especially when standing on one or more riding or sliding platforms, during which the hands do not hold or make use of any technical means, such as skateboarding, inline skating, roller skating, snakeboarding, ski-carving without poles, big foot skiing, ice skating and snowboarding, the required travel motion or acceleration is produced primarily by utilizing the gradient of the terrain, such as in snowboarding and ski-carving, and/or by bodily use of the legs, as when ice skating, inline and roller skating, or by pushing off with the leg against the ground on one side, as in skateboarding. Braking and changing direction are also initiated by the legs.

[0004] The arms of the body, or the entire human upper body, are used in these types of sports primarily for equilibrium or balancing, but not to place the sports apparatus in motion, keep it in motion, accelerate, decelerate, or perform a change of direction, and also to support and control jumps in the air.

[0005] Also, in these types of sports, it is only possible to ride or slide up a slope by using considerable bodily exertion, without making use of momentum.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The goal of the present invention is to provide a sole or additional source of propulsion and steering to enhance the motion possibility in the above-described types of riding and sliding sports.

[0007] The goal is achieved according to the invention by the method of removably coupling one end of an elastic connection means to the rider, the other end of the connection means being attached to a stationary holding object, and the rider utilizing the elasticity or the tensile and stretching force of the connection means to perform relative riding or sliding movements in relation to the holding object. In the method the rider is preferably joined to the riding or sliding platform by one or both legs, or by sitting, lying, or kneeling.

[0008] According to features of preferred embodiments, the connection means is attached to the holding object at different heights and at different angles to the rider. The connection means is fixed rigidly to the holding object, or can be displaced and/or rotated on the holding object. The riding or sliding platform has on its bottom a plain sliding surface with or without edges and/or wheels and/or rollers and/or treads and/or runners. As another feature of the invention, two or more separate connection means can each be used at the same time by one rider.

[0009] The goal is likewise achieved by the invention with an apparatus having at least one elastic connection means having at one end a first coupling for attachment to a holding object and at the other end an additional coupling connected to a coupling element which can be removably coupled to a rider, the elastic connection means having an elasticity or a tensile and stretching force which enables a rider connected to a riding or sliding platform and coupled to the coupling element on the other end of the connection means; to perform relative riding or sliding movements in relation to a holding object to which the one end of the connection mean is attached.

[0010] The coupling elements can be removably coupled to a rider by connecting it to the body of the rider, or by having the rider grasp the coupling element, which can be fashioned as a handle. The handle can have the additional coupling as an integrated component. According to preferred embodiments the connection means consists of an elastic cable, preferably made from a highly elastic plastic material.

[0011] The first coupling of the apparatus can be configured to make a rigid connection to the holding object according to one form of the invention, or it can be configured such that it can at least turn freely about the vertical axis of the holding object. For this latter configuration, the first coupling can be provided with a rotary hinge. The connection means is constructed as a single piece or several pieces with at least one partial region which can sketch elastically between the first coupling and the additional coupling.

[0012] Moreover, the goal of the invention is achieved by a sports layout comprising a riding or sliding surface with at least one stationary holding means and at least one elastic connection means which is coupled to the stationary holding means, wherein the riding or sliding surface has at least one essentially planar surface around the holding means in the area limited by the maximum sketching of the connection means. The holding means in one preferred embodiment consists of a post, a T-beam, or a U-stirrup standing on its head, whose legs protrude essentially vertically from the riding or sliding surface. According to another embodiment, the holding means includes two stationary spaced-apart holding elements, which are joined together by a cross piece, preferably a cable, chain, or rod, wherein the connection means is coupled to this cross piece, and can be displaced at a defined spot or along the cable, chain or rod.

[0013] One advantage of the method according to the invention is that it is possible easily to attach one end of the elastic connection element advantageously to any given stationary holding object, such as a tree, a street light pole, a pillar, beam, a roof, or a cable that is stretched between two stationary objects, etc.

[0014] The connection element, preferably an elastic cable, which can have various tensile strengths, elongations, lengths, and diameters in different configurations, is fitted preferably with a grabbing device at the other end of the holding object, so that the user can hold it with one or both hands. The connection piece can be made of various materials, preferably a material with high elasticity such as latex. The grabbing device, the couplings and the hinge can also be made of various materials.

[0015] It is also possible to join together different connection elements that are made from different or the same materials and that can have different tensile strengths, elongations, lengths, and diameters to form an overall connection element, such as by using hooks or tying a knot. The important point is for such an overall connection piece also to have at least one elastic partial piece. The individual connection pieces can be joined in parallel or in series to form an overall element.

[0016] By attaching the connection piece to a holding object and holding the grasping device, the user with an appropriate riding or sliding technique can bring the elasticity or the tensile and stretching force of the elastic connection piece to bear on the riding or sliding platform and thus can influence the riding or sliding movements, as well as jumps in the air. It is also possible to overcome upward slopes in this fashion.

[0017] Thus, the user travels in a defined region around the holding object, which is dictated by the maximum stretching capacity of the connection piece.

[0018] Of course, it is also possible for the user to attach two connection pieces to two different holding objects at the same time and hold on to each grasping device with one hand.

[0019] The connection element can be attached at various heights of the holding object, or even be attached to objects which allow the connection piece to lie vertically downward, such as on a roof.

[0020] In the indicated style and manner, it becomes possible for the user of known riding and sliding apparatus to make use of a sole or additional technique of propulsion and steering within a defined range of motion.

[0021] An example embodiment will now be explained in greater detail with reference to the figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0022]FIG. 1 shows, schematically, a user with a sports apparatus according to the invention; and

[0023]FIG. 2 shows, schematically, one version of a sports layout according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT

[0024]FIG. 1 shows, as an example and by means of a simplified sketch, the method according to the invention, as well as the apparatus for performing the method within a limited riding range.

[0025] The user 5 stands, for example, on known inline skates 6. The elastic connection element 1, preferably an elastic cable, which has at one end a grasping device 2 for one or both hands of the user and at the other end a hinge 3, is secured to a holding object 4, here, a stationary post.

[0026] Both the grasping device 2 and the hinge 3 are joined, for example, by couplings in the form of snap hooks 7, to the elastic connection element.

[0027] The hinge 3 can consist, for example, of a Velcro fastening system or a cable for connection around the stationary object 4. The hinge 3, however, can also be formed of metal as a rotating hinge, thereby making it possible for the connection element 1 to swivel freely about the stationary object 4. Furthermore, the hinge 3 can also be fashioned as a height-adjustable swivel hinge.

[0028] The user 5 by an appropriate riding or sliding technique brings the elasticity or the tensile and stretching force of the elastic connection element 1 to bear on the riding or sliding platform 6, as represented, for example, on the inline skates, and can thus influence the riding or sliding movements, as well as jumps in the air.

[0029] The connection element 1, however, can also be attached only to one cross piece, such as a cable 8, a chain, or a rod, etc., which is stretched for example between two posts 4′ as shown in FIG. 2. This solution is particularly attractive when no holding object 4 is present or can be mounted at the center of the area used to perform the riding movements. The height of the cable 8 is preferably chosen such that the user can ride or slide underneath the cable. 

1-16 (canceled)
 17. In a method for performing types of riding and sliding sports, in which a rider is removably connected by at least one part of the body to a riding or sliding platform, the improvement comprising: the rider is removably coupled to one end of an elastic connection means, the other end of the connection means being attached to a stationary holding object; and wherein the rider by utilizing the elasticity or the tensile and stretching force of the connection means performs relative riding or sliding movements in relation to the holding object.
 18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the rider is removably coupled to the one end of the elastic connection means by a handle.
 19. The method according to claim 17, wherein the rider is joined by one or both legs to the riding or sliding platform.
 20. The method according to claim 17, wherein the rider is joined to the riding or sliding platform by one of sitting, lying, and kneeling.
 21. The method according to claim 17, including attaching the connection means to the holding object at different heights and at different angles to the rider.
 22. The method according to claim 17, wherein the connection means is fixed rigidly to the holding object.
 23. The method according to claim 17, wherein the connection means is attached to the holding object so that it can be displaced on the holding object.
 24. The method according to claim 23, wherein the connection means can be rotated on the holding object.
 25. A method according to claim 17, wherein the riding or sliding platform has on its bottom a plain sliding surface with or without edges and at least of wheels, rollers, treads and runners.
 26. A method according to claim 17,wherein two or more separate connection means are each used at the same time by one rider for performing said relative riding or sliding movement.
 27. A sports apparatus for use in performing types of riding and sliding sports in which a rider is removably connected by at least one part of the body to a riding or sliding platform, the sports apparatus comprising: at least one elastic connection means having at one end a first coupling for attachment to a holding object and at the other end an additional coupling connected to a coupling element which can be removably coupled to a rider, the elastic connection means having an elasticity or a tensile and stretching force which enables a rider connected to a riding or sliding platform and coupled to the coupling element on the other end of the connection means to perform relative riding or sliding movements in relation to a holding object to which the one end of the connection mean is attached.
 28. The sports apparatus according to claim 27, wherein said coupling element can be connected to the body of the rider.
 29. The sports apparatus according to claim 27, wherein said coupling element can be grasped by the rider.
 30. The sports apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the connection means consists of an elastic cable.
 31. The sports apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the connection means is made from a highly elastic plastic material.
 32. The sports apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the coupling element is fashioned as a handle.
 33. The sports apparatus according to claim 32, wherein said handle has said additional coupling as an integrated component.
 34. The sports apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the first coupling is configured to make a rigid connection to the holding object.
 35. The sports apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the first coupling is configured such that the first coupling can at least turn freely about the vertical axis of a holding object to which the first coupling is attached.
 36. The sports apparatus according to claim 35, wherein the first coupling includes a rotary hinge by which the first coupling can be connected to a holding object and turn freely about the vertical axis of the holding object.
 37. The sports apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the connection means is constructed as a single piece.
 38. The sports apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the connection means is constructed of several pieces and has at least one partial region which can stretch elastically between the first coupling and the additional coupling.
 39. A sports layout for use in performing types of riding and sliding sports in which a rider is removably connected by at least one part of the body to a riding or sliding platform, the sports layout comprising: a riding or sliding surface with at least one stationary holding means; at least one elastic connection means which is coupled to the stationary holding means; and wherein the riding or sliding surface has at least one essentially planar surface around the holding means in the area limited by the maximum stretching of the connection means.
 40. The sports layout according to claim 39, wherein the connection means includes at least one elastic cable.
 41. The sports layout according to claim 39, wherein the holding means is one of a post, a T-beam, and a U-stirrup standing on its head, whose legs protrude essentially vertically from the riding or sliding surface.
 42. The sports layout according to claim 39, wherein the holding means includes two stationary spaced-apart holding elements, which are joined together by a cross piece to which the connection means is coupled.
 43. The sports layout according to claim 42, wherein the cross piece is one of a cable, a chain, and a rod.
 44. The sports layout according to claim 42, wherein the connection means can be displaced with respect to the cross piece, at a defined spot or along the cross piece. 